Arts + Culture

Barrel Aged

Timeless craftsmanship lives on in Liberty Article by Tiffany Killoren | Photography by Hannah Schreiner To those unfamiliar with the term,  coopering  sounds like a made-up word or something only chicken owners understand (coopering the coop, perhaps?) Both are wildly inaccurate. The term  coopering  and, in turn,  coopers , refers to the centuries-old craft of making wooden barrels and the artisans skilled in doing so. Coopers played a pivotal role in history. The transportation of cargo...

Arts + Culture

Movie Car Magic

It’s about more than the movie cars. It’s about the smiles. Article and Photography by Jennifer Kirby As I follow behind the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 with the movie theme music blaring, it’s easy to see how much joy it brings to the community. Every car we drive past is filled with faces pressed against the windows - their smiles wide across their faces. Even I have a grin from ear to ear and occasionally laugh at the pure fun of the whole situation. Ecto-1 pulls into the parking lot next to the...

Auto + Marine

Thread and Tread

Cody Turnbull restores vehicles inside and out Article and Photography by Katie Currid Cody Turnbull restores cars for a living, but one of his most-used tools in his shop might surprise you: a sewing machine. “I think people are kind of hesitant to get behind the sewing machine and try it just because, [they say, ‘I don’t want to] run a sewing machine all day, I'd rather go get my hands dirty,’” says Cody. “But it's pretty quiet in here, it's clean, I have my own business, I make my own...

Food + Beverage

Hostesses with the Mostest

The women behind Blush Farms have turned hospitality into community — with wine, snacks, and mahjong nights. Article and Photography by Katie Currid The owners of Blush Farms, cousins Marty Wynn and Angie Siddens, were born to host. They grew up watching the matriarchs of their family entertain guests, cooking for them and pulling out all the stops to host a great party at their family farm in rural northern Missouri. “Our moms and our grandma, just hospitality and entertaining and cooking...

Food + Beverage

A Starter Story

From home oven to hottest bakery: Sour Rabbit Bakery hops into the Northland Article by Jenny Vergara | Photography by Hannah Schreiner The journey from being a cottage baker—legally baking and selling pre-ordered items to friends and family from your home kitchen—to opening a retail bakery storefront comes with a steep learning curve. That’s certainly been the case for Atsuko Hammann, who ran her cottage bakery business for two years before opening  Sour Rabbit Bakery  in Platte Woods. She...

Health + Wellness

Parkville’s Overhead Slam

P2: The women’s pickleball group that’s rallying a community Article and Photography by Jennifer Kirby Pickleball is more than just a sport for the women of P2—it’s about creating a welcoming, empowering space where women can connect and grow. Founded by Michelle Dawalt and Mary Beth Preuss, P2 was born from a love of the game and a desire to help others improve and thrive on the court. The name P2 holds special meaning. "Our tagline and value is 'Propel your Passion,' and that’s what we...

Style + Beauty

Made to Remember

Meadowbelle Jewelry turn memories into meaningful, handcrafted jewelry Article by Mahtab Hadjian | Photography by Erin Pech As you step into the Meadowbelle studio, modern, dainty jewelry is cast against the backdrop of an industrial building whose history reaches far back into the roots of Kansas City history: The Livestock Exchange Building. There, you’ll find a collection of pearls set upon golden hoops, silver chains that catch and reflect glints of light and a delicate droplet of gold...

Shopping

Secondhand Finds, Firsthand

A guide to the best places for antiques in Kansas City Article and Photography by Katie Currid It’s true — they don’t make things like they used to. So where do you go to find those old, well-made things? We made a list of our favorite places to find the treasures of the past — whether you’re on the hunt for antique furniture, vintage clothing, good ol’ tchotchkes or just the thrill of the search. There’s plenty of places around Kansas City to find antique goods.   NORTHLAND ANTIQUE STORES ...

Food + Beverage

A New Generation at Wally's

As new ownership takes over the Northland institution, what's next for the bakery? Article by Jenny Vergara | Photography by Hannah Schreiner Waldemar Sebastian Uhl was a hard act to follow. As a certified master pastry chef, Wally Uhl owned and operated Wally’s Pastry Shop in the Northland for over 54 years before his wife Martha, and his son, Manfred—also a certified master pastry chef—took over the business after Wally’s passing in 2016. Together the family built a rock-solid reputation...

Life + Culture

Investing in Fun

Cathy Runyan-Svacinca has two quirky collections and a lot of fun Article by Diana Lambdin Meyer | Photography by Bruce N. Meyer Crunching across the gravel driveway to Cathy Runyan-Svacinca’s home, bright spots of color pop in the otherwise gravel gray. Before you have time to investigate, your eyes are drawn to a pile of bowling balls in the flower bed. Just before knocking on the front door, you stop, hand mid-air. Wow, this is some wild, colorful front door. It swings open revealing...